AOPA asks for lower altitude on planned T-route

AOPA asks for lower altitude on planned T-route

AOPA is asking the FAA to make an important clarification to a planned area navigation route, or T-route, in southwestern Oregon to protect pilots from the region’s frequent icing conditions.

In formal comments filed March 28, AOPA asked the FAA to establish a minimum en route altitude (MEA) that is lower than that of nearby Victor airways for the proposed T-274 route between the Newport VOR and CRAAF intersection. A lower MEA would put some portions of the route into airspace where pilots cannot communicate with air traffic control. Such communication gaps would lower capacity for the route but could keep pilots out of the ice.

AOPA has supported T-routes since 2000, and the association asked the FAA to create T-274 in response to pilot requests for a route near the Oregon coast. T-routes allow pilots flying with IFR-certified GPS receivers to file direct routes in congested airspace.

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